Cirillo Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Cirillo last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Cirillo last name
Meaning of the Cirillo last name: lordly (from Kyrillos). Cirillo comes from the personal name Cirillo, from Greek Kyrillos, "lordly", from kyrios, "lord". The name was spread in southern Italy by the Greek-speaking Church and by the cult of saints such as Cyril of Alexandria and Cyril, apostle of the Slavs. The surname is typically Campanian, most common in Naples and its province, with smaller numbers in Apulia and Calabria. Cyril of Jerusalem, a 4th-century bishop, was another saint of the name, and the Byzantine rites of southern Italy and Sicily kept these Greek names in use long after Latin had replaced Greek elsewhere. Medieval records in Naples and the Campanian towns give the personal name as Cyrillus and Cirillus. The plural form Cirilli is more typical of central Italy, and in Sicily the name is sometimes found as Cirrillo. Many emigrated to New York and New Jersey.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Cirillo name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Cirillo name in Italy. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Argentina and Brazil; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Cirillo pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Cirillo coat of arms.
Cirillo name FAQ
What does the Cirillo name mean?
Lordly (from Kyrillos). Common variants include Cirilli, Cerillo, Cirilla.
Where does the Cirillo surname come from?
It originates in Italy, and is also found in the United States, Argentina and Brazil.
Is there a Cirillo coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Cirillo crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Cirillo coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: De Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani; Caffarelli & Marcato, I cognomi d'Italia; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).